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2000 Ford Ranger Owner Comments

Ranger XL V6 3.0L

Automatic transmission

49,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Not that big of a deal really. The car locked up on me. First the ABS light went off, then the speedometer stopped working, then check engine light came on, then transmission shifted randomly (slamming into first going 40 MPH). Then the truck went into safety mode, where it wouldn't go out of first. I made it home, put it on my jacks and ran the codes. It said it was coming from the back of the tranny so I took a look and took apart a couple things. My friend told me to check the Speedo-Sensor and that was exactly it. The thing was completely fried. Part cost about 35$. Not too bad. Just plugged it in and I was back and running. It could've been worse I guess if I didn't know how to do it. Would've spent 100$ for an hour of labor at a shop and possibly something for a tow if i was too far away. I still love this truck and would classify this as maintenance because eventually things will wear down.

Ranger XLT 3.2L V6

Automatic transmission

103,000 miles

I have spent more money and had more problems with this FORD Ranger
than any other car in my life! The delayed shifting is an issue where it will jerk sometimes. The Oil Pan gasket is shot now and that will run into money.

The issue is in the beginning when the truck had less than 30K miles the Ford company did not do a freaking thing but just make excuses and say they have test driven it and hooked it up to their no good computer to test it. Just because an issue was not registering electronically does not mean necessarily there was/is no issue in the transmission. Now I am no "Rocket-Scientist" or mechanic, but you do not have to be one to know that the damn transmission could have been built better, more reliably/rugged. I do not pull things or load it up it's a regular truck just for driving.
This makes me wish I had a honda or toyota where I could drive the piss out of it and have no issues. Beware of any transmission shops. Do your homework, call a few, if they will not take the time to spend with you then they are trying to screw you anyway. True enough until it is opened there is a guessing game and they will be breaking into seals/gaskets and fluid that would have to be replaced regardless if you chose to do nothing. A transmission is one of those things that people just do not think about til something goes wrong. Your best bet, flush/service the transmission every 15-20K miles with flush and fresh fluid to avoid a nightmare later.
*Get someone that will allow you to look at the issues he/she is saying is wrong. Be sure you 100% understand any pricing issues before the work is start, if they are hesitant then stay away from them because they are crooks anyway!
I get 100's of compliments on the Ranger because of the shape I have maintained it in but this is no Rolles Royce!! Even when I have taken care of it.
I have had the fluid drained more times than I can remember several times at least, I guess not bad for 9 year old vehicle. Remember that the labor will differ from the kits/parts that are worn, defective and needed inside of this puppy.
I just wish they made a more reliable product and stood behind it. It is no wonder they were losing their ass at FORD!
Again I am not Anti American I am as red white and blue as they make em but I like any other American want value and reliability for the dollar. This creates a trust factor and people come back vs. making something cheap and be greedy with profit in mind vs. taking good care of the customer and owning up to it.
They should treat people the way they would like to be treated.
I will never buy a FORD again due to these signifigant Transmission issues. Transmissions can get crazy with money. They have you by the balls because once it is pulled that is at least 300-400 dollars to just look if they did not do anything.

I started experiencing these issues/problems from beginning. There was a leak on oilpan gasket and I thought it was the transmission, thisis why I brought it in. They mentioned
it was the oil pan gasket. I guess they could have just told me it was that and been done with it but I asked them to go ahead, it probably needs service before the damn thing goes down the tubes then it would be 3K and more than what the damn thing is worth (Truck) to repair it.
Biggest con-They will be quick to always tell you, "Whatever it is it is cheaper than a new car" that is bullcrap, it is not about that it should be about only what needs to be done period, comes down to trust again.
There are 3 kits from what I have been told, the cheapest, middle of the road, and masterkit, what you need will depend on what has went wrong/going on with the tranny.

I have also went through a set of ball joints and two sets of brakes as well on this thing. I do not drive like a bat out of hell so this too was surprising as I was thinking man, I could imagine if I drove like a raving maniac what the deal would be.
I hope this helps you. Service it and do not use it to pull bulldozers and that should help. If you are looking at buying one pay a mechanic $100 to look it over before making the deal, it will pay dividends if there are issues! Good Luck, Mike

Ranger XLE 3.0L V6

Automatic transmission

101,000 miles

Just experianced problem with truck shifting hard. When first happened, check engine light, ABS light and overdrive on/off light all on and O/D light flashing and speedometer stop working. Took it to Gateway Tire and they put it on their diagnostic machine and they tell me to see dealer as Lincolns have this problem (?) with transmission.

Ranger

59,812 miles

Ok. I have had this problem for like 3 weeks. My transmission was slow to change it waits as long as possible to change and most all the time jerks really bad on the change. It's an automatic. Anyway I figured this was an electrical problem because the overdrive off light keeps flashing on and off and this does affect the driving performance of the truck... when the light flashes on and off the truck is really slow to accelerate from starting at a stop sign. And lastly if you floor the gas pedal there is like a "rev rev rev rev rev" noise and it stutters to change gears. Well can anyone help diagnose my problem? Thanks,

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